GENEROUS householders are being warned to make sure they only donate items to genuine charities.

Worcestershire County Council's Trading Standards team say the vast majority of collection bags and leaflets delivered through letterboxes are genuine, but a minority could be businesses looking to profit from gestures of goodwill.

A group of bodies including the Charity Commission, Cabinet Office, Trading Standards, LACORS and the Association of Charity Shops have produced some top tips to help check clothing collections.

The advice includes: • Does the sack or leaflet say the collection is for a registered charity? If so check it out by calling 0845 3000 218 or visiting charitycommission.gov.uk.

• Do they give a registered company number? Check this out at companieshouse.gov.uk.

• Is the charity actually named? Be wary of ambiguous wording that says 'families in need' or 'sick kids at Christmas'.

• Does the leaflet or bag give an address or phone number? The absence of contact details may suggest that the collectors don't want to answer questions.

Chris Phillips, the county council's Trading Standards advice and support unit manager, said: “Our Trading Standards service is committed to cracking down on bogus charity collections and have already successfully used new powers to bring the full force of the law on conmen and fraudsters who abuse the public’s charitable spirit for their own profit.

"We'd like to assure residents that we'll continue to do the same when necessary."